Spirits

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Lost Lantern Unveils Eight Whiskies in a Special ‘Summer of Bourbon’ Release

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In a pioneering move, Lost Lantern, an award-winning independent bottler of American Whiskey, is paying homage to the nation’s iconic spirit with its ‘Summer of Bourbon’ collection. The collection, launching online on July 26th at LostLanternWhiskey.com and Seelbachs.com, will feature eight unique whiskies across their Blend Series, Single Distillery Series, and Single Cask Series.

Notably, the collection introduces Far-Flung Bourbon to the Blend Series, which innovatively combines straight bourbons from four different distilleries in four different states. It also marks the debut of the first bourbon in Lost Lantern’s Single Distillery Series, Soaring Spice, from Nevada’s Frey Ranch Distillery.

Six single casks from various distilleries are also included, three of which are first-time collaborations with Still Austin in Texas, Tom’s Foolery in Ohio, and New Riff in Kentucky.

The ‘Summer of Bourbon’ reflects the spectrum of climates and aging conditions across the United States, contributing to the unique taste profiles of each bourbon. By offering such diversity in one collection, Lost Lantern aims to illustrate the range of styles and flavors that define the bourbon world today.

For more updates about Lost Lantern and its collection, follow their social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostlanternwhiskey Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostlanternwhiskey Twitter: https://twitter.com/LostLanternDram

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Johnnie Walker Blue Label

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A Subtle Balanced Chameleon for Apprentices and Enthusiasts Neat Before and After Dinner

photo courtesy Diageo

Whisky Reviewed: Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Distiller: Diageo
Region: Primarily Speyside
ABV: 40%
Suggested Retail Price: $150-$250 (Watch Out!!)
USC Rating: 97
Distiller Rating: 90
Whiskey Wash Rating: 92

Mark’s Review

OMG, the aroma is incredible, maybe life changing! If you wanted one whisky to create the standard of velvety, sweet smoke, this is it. I could smell JW Blue all day and smile each time. Vanilla, caramel and apple bouquets rotated through every sense; yet with a feel of permanent coexistence. Normally in spirits, each of those potent smells vies for domination. Here they’re vibrant, rich partners.

How can a single spirit be such a delicate changeling? I even postponed the tasting because of the astounding aromatics. When I succumbed to the temptation to drink, my world got confused. When flavors don’t align with scents, disorientation often occurs. Fighting such confusion, I forced myself to ask:

What happened? I had to stop and think. I figured out that my subtle chameleon morphed into a soulful soft, mouth coating balanced whisky with a long finish. You’ll pause and do the same.

I then pondered: To whom would this appeal? That’s an easier question to answer. The Adventurer has no mountain to climb here and the Hedonist’s lurid desires are unfulfilled.

Johnnie Blue is, however, a rare mix of subtlety, balance and shifting tastes. It will tempt the Apprentice eager to learn and the Enthusiast embraces each aspect while admiring the harmony.

Enjoy a dram before a meal or as a reward after dinner, but forget about a cigar. It’ll blow away the gentility.

Use in a cocktail? To quote Jeff Dunham’s Achmed, the Dead Terrorist, I kill you! 

In the end, rest assured that the more you sample, the more you’ll want until, Voila! The glass is empty! Hurry and refill!

A note on price: This is not cheap stuff in any dimension. Shop with caution. I’ve seen bottles for less than $150 and over $250. Try this at a bar first to see if it’s for you and do the research on shops to know if you’re getting value or ripped off.

Mark Garbin’s Evaluation

Aromas & Flavor Appeals to: Optimal Client Type Great For:
Subtlety Aficionado Apprentice Cocktails
Power Flavor Admirer Enthusiast Neat Before Dinner
Balanced Devotee Adventurer With Food
Chameleon Lover Hedonist Dessert or Afterwards

 

USC rating:  Distinguished nose of pipe tobacco, saddle leather, crushed pistachio, brown butter, and chocolate covered strawberries. Elegant and mellow mouthfeel with soft chewy caramel and milk chocolate bolstered by bright fruit and honeyed nuts. Luxurious and persistent.

Distiller.com rating: Where Johnnie Walker Black is more like Daniel Craig as James Bond, Blue Label is more Pierce Brosnan; less brute force with a touch more elegance. Take a sip and find dates and floral notes with a touch of spice. But make no mistake, the smoldering peat does eventually sneak up on you…perhaps like an MI6 agent might. – Stephanie Moreno

WhiskeyWash.com review: I know for myself, the question is not whether or not I would like to leave a store with a fresh bottle of Blue Label under my arm, but rather when I will feel the time is right to do so. After all, there is always a bottle sitting behind the register. The challenge becomes one of identifying an appropriate circumstance under which to finally make the investment. Once made, it is an easy one to live with. – Joshua St. John

 

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Cragganmore 12

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Subtlety Reigns Supreme for Apprentices and Enthusiasts Neat Before Dinner or with a Light Meal

photo courtesy of Diageo

Whisky Reviewed: Cragganmore 12
Distiller: Diageo
Region: Speyside
ABV:40%
Suggested Retail Price: $60+
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90-95
USC Rating: 94
Distiller Rating: 86

Mark’s Review

Saturday night at a local restaurant and there it was, the core of Johnnie Walker’s product line, Cragganmore 12 year. No big deal. Right? Wrong!

The first aromas were, yeah, yeah, been there, done that, JW Black. But after two minutes of air, I lost my cynicism.

Refined scents rose from my Glencairn compelling me to pay full attention to a curious and varied sweetness. Caramel, almonds, wild honey and toffee together with floral chestnut vapors floated on gentle clouds. When I freed my nose, from the glass and tempted the fates of taste, the same pleasant subtle qualities ensued but with extra bonuses. A keen maltiness and creamy pound cake spread through my mouth and continued in the back palate without let up ending in a wisp of smoke. My continuous wide smiles were both unforeseen and unrestrained. They seemed to go on forever like the Energizer Bunny. When I added water I expected a typical 40% ABV flavor and finish dilution. Not here. A few drops subdued the main sugar factor, but emphasized the char.

Jason Debly’s comment is perfect: “This is gorgeous… an impressive tapestry of flavors to consider”.

This tender spirit is not for power or peat lovers and don’t think of using Cragganmore in a mixed drink. But the Apprentice learning about Speyside will find education in a bottle and the Enthusiast discovers a long-term addition to their collection.

Enjoy this neat before a meal; with a lobster dinner or any light food.

What I don’t get is Distiller’s write-up below. How can you give a 86 rating to a “hidden gem”? Take the number with a grain of salt. I leave you with a quote from Ari, the whisky guy, (a great 60 second video review): “This goes on my top shelf.”

Mark Garbin’s Evaluation

Aromas & Flavor Appeals to: Optimal Client Type Great For:
Subtlety Aficionado Apprentice Cocktails
Power Flavor Admirer Enthusiast Neat Before Dinner
Balanced Devotee Adventurer With Food (Light)
Chameleon Lover Hedonist Dessert or Afterwards

 

Wine Enthusiast rating: The succulent aroma develops with aeration in the sweet forms of barley, cream, light caramel, and a trace of tropical fruit. Palate entry is round, borderline plump, breakfast-cereal sweet, and honeyed; at midpalate, there’s a slightly oily peat smoke. Sweetly concludes with the focus on the malt.

USC rating: Stunningly golden dram with aromas of sweet stone fruits, citrus, honey, cereal, and a wisp of sage. Soft and smooth with flavors of malted chocolate, smoke, and dried apricot that build onto a mellow, semi-sweet, and smoky finish. Fantastic.

Distiller rating: This whisky is quite the hidden gem in Diageo’s Malt Whisky Collection. The whisky is filled with heather, honey, nuts, and pears. Delicate smoke comes in on the palate along with dried cherry and more honeyed nuts. It is a shame that this whisky doesn’t get heralded more than it does, but then again, maybe it’s okay to keep this one a secret. –Stephanie Moreno

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Our Man In Havana Part II: Robaina Tobacco Farm Pinar del Rio

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Spending a week in Havana with all the that there is to appreciate and explore is easy to do. Since I was only staying for a few days however  I needed to make them count. With my driver and translator with me I set out to the Pinar del Rio region of Cuba to visit local tobacco farms with my main stop being the renowned Robaina Tobacco Farm. Alejandro Robaina was a famed tobacco grower who’s tobacco was so prized that in 1997 he was awarded a brand named in his honor called “Vegas Robaina”. Sadly Alejandro Robaina passed away in 2009 although his grandson Hiroshi continues with his growing tradition and legacy. If you’ve never smoked a Vegas Robaina cigar you should as they can be wonderful however do not think you are smoking a cigar directly from the Robaina Farm. This NOT a single estate cigar.  It is merely a blend from many farms created to have a distinct flavor profile for the brand “Vegas Robaina”.  This was another reason I was really looking forward to visiting and possibly having the chance to smoke a Finca or “Farm” cigar from the actual Estate.

As you drive up the dirt road to the farm you see a large overhanging sign with the words “Alajandro Robaina 1845” clearly noting the farms history.

Upon entering we were greeted by a guide who explained the history of the farm and Alejandro Robaina’s legacy. As we walked we were shown the acres of tobacco growing in the field as well as a special plot of seeds beginning to grow.  We were told  this plot was for something they were still unsure of how it was going to be used or quite possibly they didn’t want to tell us.

 

After seeing the tobacco as it was growing our next stop was the curing barn where tobacco is dried and cured after it is harvested.  The tobacco is hung from the barn as seen below.

If you have never visited a tobacco farm before seeing the process firsthand gives you an appreciation of the time and care involved in creating this craft product. Our guide highlighted pictures of the various stages of the tobacco process and the journey it takes from seed to cigar.

As part of the tour a cigar roller was in the barn rolling a fresh cigar. I was fortunate enough to be the one who was gifted the smoke as it came off the table. As I stated earlier the brand Vegas Robaina is a blend from various tobacco farms used to create the flavor characteristic of the name brand. The cigar I was given was probably the truest expression of a cigar from Alejandro’s farm and his tobacco.

Wrapped in newspaper to aid in drying the fresh tobacco before smoking, a true Robaina cigar:

 

Next we were taken to the dining area where events are held and an homage to Alejandro is purposefully represented.

The last stop was the famous rocking chair where Alejandro Robaina was said to sit and smoke. I can only imagine the decades of contemplation and reverence that was put into each harvest day after day year after year. As I headed off in the early afternoon to my next adventure I left feeling a newfound appreciation for the cigar making process as well as how respected Alejandro was in his homeland and the world.

 

 

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CAMUS Borderies VSOP Review

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photo credit: John DeMato

Up for review today is the CAMUS Borderies VSOP, a unique offering on the current market in that it is made of 100% single-growth Borderies grapes. Of course, there are plenty of disappointing products that make big claims based on the source of the materials (“100% Cuban seed tobacco” comes to mind). So let’s see how the Borderies VSOP shakes out.

Distiller: CAMUS

ABV: 40%

Cask Type: French Oak

Nose

The nose is deep but gentle, with notes of apples, citrus, and a hint of vanilla.

Palate

One sip and I know that this is a very special cognac. Flavors move from apples and oranges, to hints of honey and then on to a definitive cinnamon spiciness that is totally harmonious with the rest of the flavors. 

Finish

The finish is long and sweet, and it holds each flavor for what feels like a full minute.

Conclusion

CAMUS VSOP Borderies is a unique offering that manages the rare task of presenting a compelling story for the product and delivering on the promise. At under $40, this cognac deserves at least one cycle on your spirits shelf.

Final Grade: A

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